Bombproof Builders Desk.....Build

[krnmastersgt]

Man this thread makes me resent this pos desk that I'm using currently

Seems like an awesome build, can't wait to see how your project turns out!

Just a side curiosity, not counting the actual computer components/related stuff how much have you already put into building the desk?

 

[dieseldog49]

About $430 including the monitor mounts

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys, I have been working 14 hour days so no build updates but the parts are still rolling in here is another sampler pic or 2.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

sweeet!

 

[JamesV]

That looks really awesome. All I have is two PC's and 3 monitors, and I'd love to have all that desk space around me... my little L desk and generic table are totally jealous

 

[Interitus]

Hey those fittings look familiar!

Had some free time to read through your progress, looking good!

 

[bookwormsy]

Thats friggin awesome.

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys here is my first crack at a video update, let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uCend4X3T8

 

[copeman]

looks like it will be able to run a small city

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys I shot a video update but I am having issues with it unfortunately so here is a regular old update.

Ok so I have been on a backup rig for over 2 months now and it has been killing me. So I now have most of the components I am planning on using in the desk build, so I threw all of them into a Bitfenix Shinobi XL case to test all of the components and make sure I am happy with the performance and everything works before I go through the trouble of mounting it up. This is just a temp build so its not my prettiest work.

Also I managed to snag a Dell 30 inch 2560x1600 to replace my triple monitor setup. I freaking love it! I may go up to three of them but at the moment 1 is enough. Specs for the system are as follows

Intel 2011 8320 w/ XSPC Raystorm waterblock

MSI Big Bang II Mobo

Gigabyte 7970 with EK Acrylic waterblock and backplate

G-Skill 16gb 1866 ram

Swiftech 360mm rad with gentle typhoons in a push configuration

Swiftech 240mm rad with Noctua fans in a pull configuration

Swiftech Pump with XSPC res.

Koolance 3/8 ID and 5/8 OD compression fittings

Corsair 1000w PSU

Asus Blu Ray drive

Crucial M4 256 SSD

WD Green 2TB Media Drive


Ok Guys I am ordering more parts for the build however I will not be posting much till the beginning of September as I have a huge workload to get done before I head to PAX Prime I will be going full steam ahead on the project when I get back. Thanks again for everyone following the build I will try to get the video update redone and working in the next few days though.

 

[dieseldog49]

This Build still lives but there have been some changes, including a second PC. Here are some screenshots for what I have planned

More to come soon.

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok, sorry for not posting more details with the design updates guys, it was late and I had just gotten them done. Anywho So its been a couple months since my last update, between PAX, work and a unexpected medical issue I haven't been able to post much. However I have been making headway on the build so here is a list of some of the changes.

First off obviously is the monitor setup I have added 2 Dell 2007 1600x1200 monitors to my Dell 30 for a PLP setup, I have to say that out of all monitor configurations I have tried this is by far the one I prefer most it allows for crazy high levels of productivity without being crazy wide or narrow.

I also have a 24 inch 1920x1200 monitor to the left, that is for the next phase of my project. I am mounting a PC in the wall behind the Desk as the designs above illustrate. The room behind my office us unfinished as its where the HVAC is located in the house, so I decided to do something fun and interesting with this area as its basically used for just storage. The PC will be mounted on a hinged board with dual triple rads bellow. The reasons I did this are threefold

1. As some people have brought out there may be issues running a liquid cooled rig in this horizantal configuration and before I go through the trouble of modifying my desk this way (I have a backup configuration) This will serve as a proof of concept build for the liquid cooling layout and help me work the bugs out in a more forgiving setup with cheaper components. And should it not work I will put it in the up position and be no worse off.

2. I will need another PC up and running ans I am modifying and building the desk rig so this will serve as my backup and interim rig.

3. It s a chance to do something cool and different with PC components, duh!

So the specs for this rig are

i5 2500K processor
EVGA FTW mATX Mobo
Koolance 360WB
655 Pump
AMD 6970 Video Card with Heatkiller waterblock
2x 360mm slim rads
8gb of G-skill 1866Mhz ram
SeasonicX 750w psu

More coming soon, I am waiting for parts today and tomorrow, thanks for reading!

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys, small update today but I can say that I will be posting more regularly as all of the parts I need for the next stage of the build are either here or in the mail. Anywho today was all not tech work on the desk. First off as this coffee stain will show you I need a better way to have beverages on my desk.

Enter the stainless steel 3 3/4 inch cupholders

They have a drain at the bottom that I will have a plug for, so should I spill a drink in the holder I simply put the trash bag bellow in and drain it.

I will be using my 3 and 3/4 inch hole saw for these. Costs alot of money but work every penny, remember modders, the right tool for the right task :thumb:

First one cut and mounted (sorry forgot to snap a pic before I put it in)

Then number 2

And Bam! 2 sexy additions to my already awesome desk

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok, next up in anticipation of the 6970 and motherboard tray arriving for the wall PC part of the build I decided to mount the power and reset buttons for the wall PC. First off a strait edge to make sure my marks are right.

Then a couple of pilot holes.

Now the trick with these is to drill with 2 different size paddle bits from each side so I can get the mounting ring for the switches in the hole. So 3/4 inch in the front.

Then 1 inch in the back

Getting the rings to stay in place was a pain in the butt however my trusty leatherman came through for me on this one.

These were a bit of a hassle but I am really happy with how they turned out.

But now I have this awesome place to put my beer but I have to keep a tacky bottle opener lying around, cluttering up the top of my desk. Well I solved that problem today as well

 

[dieseldog49]

One last piece of advice guys, when ever I mod I test, test, test :drink:

Expect another update in a week guys and as always thanks for reading!

 

[mnewsham]

that's a man's desk, cup holders AND bottle opener? Just needs a liquid nitrogen bath in order to quick cool a beer (or a minifridge if you wanna be cheap)

 

[dieseldog49]

I have a mini fridge well stocked and ready to rock

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys, small update, today I am back over at Bryans shop to get some parts fabbed up. Here we have the Plasma Cutter we will be cutting the parts out with.

And these are the items the parts are being made for.

Templates made up, its time to cut.

Smooth em out, and drill out the holes for attaching to the 2x4

Bend them to shape and I have some sweet purpose built Brackets to hang my Rad from.

 

[dieseldog49]

Next up is a new triple rad template, as the compessed paper one I have is just not going to last. 16 Gauge steel, should last me the rest of my modding career

Went outside, and who do I see? Gerry! Man he has gotten big!

Ok so I will be having Bryan make alot more parts for me after the first of the year. But now onto the actual area I will be installing the wall PC into. Now, to be clear everything I am doing is just test fitting. I will be cleaning up the area and paint it as well.

Next up my 6970 came in and I got to slap my Heatkiller WB on it (Man I love the way these look)

Sorry I dont have more to show right now, I hurt my hand, and due to the holiday. I will have more soon and hopefully have the wall mount fabbed up in the beginning of january.

 

[dieseldog49]

My new power supply showed up today Seasonic 1000w Platinum

This will be the PSU for the Trapdoor PC with the 750w Seasonic for the wall PC I will be Sleeving both of these PSU's and it will be my first time doing so. Thanks again for reading!

 

[dieseldog49]

hey guys, sorry for the break in updates. However my finger is pretty much healed up and over the last 2 days pretty much all of the parts for the wall build have showed up in the mail. I am only waiting on the screws to mount the radiator.

I am having a hard time deciding which res to use for this build thoughts?

Also over the new year I managed to score a 1080P Viewsonic Projector for really cheap and with 0% financing for 18 months

I also upgraded to a Motorized 100 inch screen which means I can run everything from my desk, double

As soon as the screws come in I will start fitting everything and moving forward however I am in need of some 45 and 90 degree adapters for my compression fittings and I am pretty much out of budget until next month so I will have to source some through trade or whatever. Anywho thanks for reading as always, my next update will be a video of me explaining the full wall PC setup.

 

[dieseldog49]

Ok guys, time for a fairly large update. I was going to make a video of me explaingin how the wall pc was going to work and the purpose of it but I came home from work today feeling angry for no good reason so I decided to take it out on some modding. So here are the fruits of my labor for the afternoon.

First off I cut the Screws i had ordered from frozen CPU to leagnth so I could mount the rad.

Next up I needed to remove a bit of pipe from the area I would be working in as it was no longer in use.

Then vacuum and mount the rad

Next up is the pump

Then the Res.

After that i needed to get the 2x6 I would be using to mount the hinges to level and secure.

After that it was time to make the plank I would be using to mount all of my hardware. There are 4 holes in the lian li trade that make good mounting points.

 

[dieseldog49]

And just my luck the Seasonic PSU fits perfectly between the nuts

next up was mounting the hinges and testing out the concept.

Woo Hoo, all looks well. Time to start running some tubing. Unfortunately the danger den res. I am using will not allow me to us compression fittings, so I am going to have to use barbs on the res (eww )

CPU heatsink installed

 

[dieseldog49]

and the video card next.

And here is a mockup, the tubes are too long atm but I wanted them that way till I am finished so I have some play room. Now I just need to get a bracket for the PSU and a couple other things and this thing is ready to rock! As always thanks for reading.

 

[jaydeee]

a command center!
I wish to have resources to build mine too.
nice! keep it coming.